The contract was awarded to Ram Construction Services of Michigan Inc. of Livonia, Mich. Work can begin as early as July 9 and be completed within 180 days of the start date.

The bridges being preserved in Cumberland County:

N.C. 59 over I-95;

All American Freeway over U.S. 401 Business;

N.C. 53 over I-95;

U.S. 401 Business over Cumberland Street;

N.C. 24 over U.S. 401 Business;

U.S. 401 Business over Hillsborough Street;

U.S. 401 Business over Norfolk Southern Railroad;

N.C. 24 over the Cape Fear River in Fayetteville;

Morganton Road over U.S. 401 Business; and

Santa Fe Drive over All American Freeway.

Also, the bridge on N.C. 217 across the Cape Fear River in Harnett County will be preserved.

This type of project is a way to extend the life of a bridge, and is done at a cost significantly lower than continually repairing or even replacing the bridge. It is part of NCDOT’s $430 million bridge plan for 2011-12, which calls for preservation, repair or replacement of 450 bridges statewide.

This is one of 30 contracts totaling $109.3 million awarded by Conti for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. NCDOT awarded the contracts to the lowest bidders, as required by state law. The bids received on the projects awarded came in about 3.9 percent, or $4.4 million, below NCDOT estimates.

Since Gov. Bev Perdue took office in January of 2009, NCDOT has awarded 631 highway contracts totaling $4.3 billion to ensure that all North Carolinians have access to jobs and educational opportunities.

Gov. Perdue’s proposed budget continues to support enhancing or expanding our transportation infrastructure. In doing so, Gov. Perdue continues to support immediate jobs in the construction sector and the goal of ensuring that our transportation network facilitates access to jobs, education and healthcare for the future.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 million spent on transportation creates 30 jobs, and according to the construction industry, every dollar invested in transportation generates $6 in economic impact.